Abstract
Based on the analysis and interpretation of maps, remote sensing data published in the literature, and environmental reconnaissance, this article discusses environmental transformations in the Wojkowice area in southern Poland (up to the year 2020). A comprehensive analysis was carried out concerning spatial development, mining activity, hydrogeological conditions and the biotic environment. The current state of the hydrogeological conditions was also characterized. Mining activity in the vicinity of the studied town caused significant changes in its relief, which contributed to its area dropping by about 5 m. In fact, these terrain forms are overgrown by various forms of vegetation that colonized these areas both naturally and as a result of forest reclamation. The contemporary vegetation of Wojkowice differs from the potential natural vegetation, which is an indicator of the complete anthropogenization of the natural environment. Over 100 years of industrial activity in Wojkowice has also contributed to a strong transformation of the groundwater. There has been a quantitative depletion of usable groundwater in the Triassic and Carboniferous formations. With inflows to the ore mines of up to 17 m3/min, the groundwater table has dropped by more than 60 m. The aquifer of Muschelkalk has been practically drained. At present, wells extract the waters from the Röth aquifer. There has been a major transformation of groundwater chemistry. The waters of the Triassic carbonate complex are anthropogenically transformated and are characterized by increased mineralization, multi-ionic types and usually with a quality class III and IV, and, therefore, they require some treatment.
Highlights
Introduction iationsOne of the key problems in the field of spatial management and environmental protection is the degradation of land surfaces as a result of mining activity using underground and opencast mining methods
In order to emphasize the results of mining activity, a differential model (DFM) (Figure 4a) was created and a topographic profile was marked out (Figure 2a,g) across the most transformed parts of Wojkowice
A comprehensive ecological analysis was carried out concerning spatial development, mining activity, hydrogeological conditions and the biotic environment; The results of the research showed that the ground surface in Wojkowice dropped on average by 5 m, from an elevation 260–366 m.a.s.l. to 254–365 m.a.s.l
Summary
Introduction iationsOne of the key problems in the field of spatial management and environmental protection is the degradation of land surfaces as a result of mining activity using underground and opencast mining methods. Characteristic remnants of mining activity include underground workings, surface deformations and waste tips, as well as objects of technical and constructional infrastructure of mines and pits [10,11,12,13,14,15,16,17,18,19]. All these elements determine the beauty of the landscape and how perceptible it is to society
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